These are the things you should try to make sure you always have lurking in a cupboard. Even if you have no other food in, you can still make a meal from these things. As a general rule, the more you buy at once, the cheaper it will work out.
Rice
Preferably brown as it's better for you but it doesn't really matter. It keeps for a long time and goes with practically anything as a carbohydrate.
Pasta
Super cheap, super useful.
Couscous
This takes abut 2 minutes to make and again, goes with so many things.
Olive Oil
It doesn't need to be super expensive posh oil at all - supermarket own brands are about £4 a litre but often local specialist shops will have it cheaper.
General oil
For cooking, it's an idea to have another oil such as rapeseed, vegetable, sunflower or groundnut as it doesn't smoke so much and it's cheaper.
Tinned tomatoes
If you buy own brand from a super market, it's about 30p a can. This is the basis for many sauces.
Herbs & Spices
These are what will make your cooking interesting. You'd be surprised how little fat and salt you can get away with if you use herbs and spices well. here is a list in (my personal) order of importance. All are dried and are best bough from a local Asian or Middle Eastern shop where they are about £1 a bag.
Cumin
Mint
Cinnamon
Chilli
Turmeric
Bay Leaves
Coriander
Rosemary
Mixed herbs
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